Targeted News Service
LEXINGTON, Ky. — With many new and emerging communication and social media technologies becoming used in our day-to-day lives, the Federal Communications Commission is studying how these technologies can be used for emergency communications and notifications. Lexington’s Division of Emergency Management is urging senior citizens and people with disabilities to participate in the online survey.
‘Recent studies show that people are relying more on social media and personal communication technologies for emergency information,’ said Pat Dugger, director of Lexington’s Division of Emergency Management. ‘We want to make sure that people in Lexington have a voice in how the federal government decides what direction it will take with new emergency notification technologies.’
The online survey is available at: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/EAAC/ . The survey is also available at the Division of Emergency Management home page: www.lexingtonky.gov/dem and at www.bereadylexington.com.
The FCC is conducting this survey in response to a recommendation in the National Broadband Plan, which seeks to maximize the life-saving potential of text messaging, email, video and photos from mobile and landline broadband services.
Current 9-1-1 systems only support voice-centric communications despite the fact that there are more than 270 million wireless consumers nationwide and approximately 70 percent of all 9-1-1 calls are made from mobile hand-held devices. Current systems are not designed to transfer and receive text messaging, videos or photos.
In some emergency situations - especially where a call could further jeopardize someone’s life and safety — texting may be the only way to reach out for help. In addition, many Americans, particularly those with disabilities, rely on text messaging as their primary means of communication.
According to the FCC, the sharing of timely and relevant videos and photos would provide first responders with on-the-ground information to help assess and address emergencies in real-time. For example, these technologies could help report crimes as they are happening thus giving law enforcement officials an increased advantage when responding.
The research project will address several issues related to the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 services, including, but not limited to:
- The technical feasibility and limitations of text messaging video streaming and photos
- Consumer privacy issues, particularly related to the sharing of personal electronic medical data
- Development of technical and policy standards
- Consumer education and awareness
- Inter-governmental coordination and coordination within the public safety community
The national survey is being conducted to see how people with disabilities want to call 9-1-1 in the future when they can use the Internet to send pictures, video, texts, as well as voice telephone calls. This survey will be conducted through April 24, 2011.
Citizens can access information about the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government by calling LexCall, the city’s centralized service and information contact center. Most telephones can connect to LexCall by simply dialing 3-1-1.
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